Global Down Syndrome Foundation

06/10/2026

💫What an extraordinary honor.

During Volunteers of America's 130th Anniversary National Conference in Denver, GLOBAL President & CEO Michelle Sie Whitten received the inaugural Sharon Magness Blake Transformative Philanthropy Award. 🏆 Watch the full acceptance speech here: https://bit.ly/4gaUWXc

Presented by Sharon Magness Blake before VOA leaders, philanthropists, and affiliate representatives from across the country, the award recognizes transformational philanthropy, leadership, and community impact.

In her acceptance remarks, Michelle highlighted the importance of seeing every person for their abilities, contributions, and potential—particularly at a time when outdated assumptions about people with continue to persist. 💙💛

We are deeply grateful to Sharon and Ernie Blake, David Schunk and the entire Volunteers of America Colorado team, and all those working every day to build stronger, more inclusive communities.

Michelle was joined by her father John J. Sie, husband Tom Whitten, children Sophia and Patrick, and close family friends Rita and Navin Dimond.

🥳 Congratulations to all of the incredible honorees recognized during this special event!

➡️ Swipe through for highlights from the celebration.

06/09/2026

🎂 Happy 23rd Birthday to the one & only Sophia Whitten — the incredible young woman who inspired the founding of GLOBAL, Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, , , , and SO much more! 💙💛

🎉Sophia is GLOBAL's very first Ambassador so she is dedicated to helping us raise funds and awareness! Learn more about our amazing here: https://bit.ly/3zE49Ew

🎓In May, Sophia graduated from Regis University where she studied Health Sciences & Advocacy 👩‍⚕️🏛️ She continues to inspire with her intelligence, determination, kindness, and positive spirit.

Sophia LOVES SPORTS — ⚽especially Colorado's 1st professional women's sports team, Denver Summit FC 🥅, & about 20 other NFL, NBA, MLS, & NHL teams! She LOVES MUSIC — 🎶from Sabrina Carpenter to the Mamma Mia! soundtrack to Taylor Swift 🎤. She can't wait for Taylor's wedding and is beyond excited that Mamma Mia 3 is finally in the works!

💝Sophia loves spending time (esp eating 🍝🍕🍚🥢) with her brother Patrick, her mom, dad, and YeYe, as well as her extended family across the U.S., England, Italy, and China. And she misses her Nonna everyday 😢.

💎Her boyfriend, friendships, family adventures, and being with people she loves is what brings her joy. This summer, Sophia is back at GLOBAL as a proud intern and is already proving that hard work runs in the family — often staying well beyond her scheduled intern hours, just like her mum! 💪😊

Sophia, thank you for making our world a better place.🌎

🎂 Sophia! We love celebrating YOU! 👏💙💛

06/08/2026

🌟Historic milestone for the Down syndrome community!

The House Energy & Commerce Committee unanimously advanced the DeOndra Dixon NIH INCLUDE Project Act by a vote of 46-0, bringing this landmark bipartisan legislation one step closer to becoming law. Watch the video and read the full press release: https://bit.ly/4fWoV58

⚖️During the markup, congressional leaders honored the life and legacy of GLOBAL Ambassador DeOndra Dixon, recognized the extraordinary impact of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) INCLUDE Project, and celebrated decades of leadership and advocacy by the GLOBAL Down Syndrome Foundation and our wonderful President & CEO.

We were especially moved when Chairman Brett Guthrie recognized GLOBAL founder John J. Sie, thanking him for co-founding C-SPAN and noting that at age 90 he was watching the markup live as the legislation advanced.

👏Thank you to Representatives Diana DeGette, Richard Hudson, Brett Guthrie, Congressman Paul Tonko, Senator John Hickenlooper, Senator Jerry Moran, our legacy leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers, NIH, and the many bipartisan champions who continue to fight for people with Down syndrome and their families.💙💛

As Rep. DeGette said, “this is an issue that transcends party lines...and this must be the year [the DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act] is finally passed into law."

&C

06/07/2026

📢🗞️ Northern Virginia residents playing a major role in Down syndrome advocacy! 📖 Read the full story ➡️ https://bit.ly/4fR6oqU

We're especially proud to see GLOBAL Board Chair Erin Book Mullen recognized for her leadership and tireless advocacy, alongside Carolyn Flynn, whose family's journey is a powerful reminder of why advancing research, medical care, and opportunities for people with matters SO deeply. 💜

✨ The article also features insights from our very own GLOBAL President & CEO Michelle Sie Whitten, whose vision and advocacy continue to help drive progress for our community nationwide.

From self-advocates and families to community leaders and nonprofit champions, local advocates are driving meaningful change through research, inclusion, and education. Together, they are proving that when we raise our voices, we can transform lives and create opportunities for people with Down syndrome to THRIVE. 🌟

A special thank you to InsideNoVA.com and reporter Lincoln Patience for spotlighting this important work and the passionate advocates helping move our community forward.

06/05/2026

This week, national media outlets have covered a story that has propagated medically inaccurate information about people with .

For accurate, trusted information, we encourage people to review our Prenatal & Newborn Pamphlet - a collaboration with the National Down Syndrome Congress and the National Down Syndrome Society - which is distributed across the country by GiGi's Playhouse, Inc. and 100+ local Down syndrome organizations:
🔗 https://bit.ly/4aUSL44

At the , we know that accurate, evidence-based information matters. Outdated and inaccurate information can negatively impact medical care and decision making, public understanding, policy decisions, and the lives of people with Down syndrome and their families.

This moment underscores why GLOBAL's work in , medical care, education, and advocacy is more important than ever. Through our investments in groundbreaking research, our internationally recognized medical care guidelines, and our educational resources, we are committed to ensuring that individuals, families, healthcare providers, and policymakers have access to the facts.

We are also proud to stand alongside the and our local Down syndrome organization members in affirming that people with Down syndrome deserve to be understood based on facts, lived experience, and their own voices.

If you'd like to hear directly from a leading self-advocate/influencer, we encourage you to watch GLOBAL Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award recipient, Madison Tevlin, in this powerful CoorDown video that GLOBAL helped create:
🎥 https://bit.ly/4foazua

People with Down syndrome are living longer, healthier, more independent, and more fulfilling lives than ever before. Accurate information matters—and so do their voices.

The Global Down Syndrome Foundation, the National Down Syndrome Congress, and the National Down Syndrome Society have teamed up to publish the third edition of the groundbreaking Prenatal & Newborn Down Syndrome Information Pamphlet, available in English, Spanish and Icelandic. The third edition

06/05/2026

💥Don't miss this MUST ATTEND event!💥

The premier international conference for families on research and medical care, T21RS is taking place on Saturday, June 20th in Denver, CO from 11AM-4PM at the Grand Hyatt Denver Hotel.

Thanks to a generous, anonymous donor, attendance is only $5. Registration fee also includes lunch! 🍽️ But seats are limited! Register today: https://bit.ly/4x1EsXs

Expert speakers include our very own Dr. Nicole Baumer, Medical Director of the at Children’s Hospital Colorado. PLUS an incredible performance by Sujeet Desai!

06/05/2026

🎓✨ Graduation season may be winding down, but we're still celebrating the incredible achievements of our GLOBAL Inclusive Program graduates at Regis University! ✨🎓

Each of these students has worked hard, embraced the college experience, built lasting friendships, and earned their certificates through dedication, perseverance, and determination. Their success is a powerful reminder of what happens when students are given the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

💙 A special shoutout to our graduates: Sophia, Grace, Megan, Andrew R, Andrew G, Sam, Sumin, Max, Chase, Sammi, Nick, and Liam!

👏 And CHEERS to Sophia and Grace, the FIRST students to complete all four years of the GLOBAL Inclusive Program! Their commitment, leadership, and hard work have helped pave the way for future students and demonstrate the incredible impact of inclusive higher education.

As we head into summer, we're celebrating not just diplomas and certificates—but confidence, purpose, friendships, opportunities, and bright futures ahead. ☀️🎉

Join us in congratulating the Class of 2026 and wishing them success in their next chapter! 💼✨ Submit your GRAD photos: https://bit.ly/3NsYrse

06/03/2026

🚵 Happy World Bicycle Day! 🌎

What better day to announce that registration is in FULL swing and our team is already filling up for the Courage Classic Bicycle Tour this summer! GLOBAL's Dare to Ride Team is ready to roll and we would LOVE for you to take part, whether you choose to ride personally or support through a donation! Learn more, now 👉 https://bit.ly/49DQIU8

Join us July 18–19 in Copper Mountain and help raise life-saving funds for the Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Every mile ridden supports critical care, groundbreaking research, and programs that make a lasting difference for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

🚴 Ride with us
💛 Support a rider
🌟 Change lives

And as we gear up for this year's ride, we're sending a HUGE thank you to our incredible 2025 riders: Connor & Brian Long, Cynthia Ord, Nathan Hale, the Laux Family, Kyle Ebner, Sean Dow, Erika Sickinger, and Alex Lee. Your dedication and determination helped move our mission forward one mile at a time.

Who's ready to climb some mountains for a great cause? ⛰️💙

06/03/2026

🎶🎤What an extraordinary evening of phenomenal performances at the 2026 Global Down Syndrome Foundation AcceptAbility Gala! Our stage was graced by incredible performers that left our guests inspired and uplifted. Check out the highlights: https://bit.ly/4uKG0nr

✨ RhythmXpress, Inc energized the room with their vibrant group performance, celebrating the spirit of inclusion and dance
✨ Robert Wallop, three-time USA Dance National Champion and world-renowned performer, brought the house down with his showstopping moves and infectious joy
✨ Rachel Platten delivered a heartfelt, soulful set that had the audience singing along, playing with her on stage and swaying to her platinum hits—ending the night on an unforgettable note

These performances weren’t just entertainment—they were a celebration of ability, artistry, and community. 💙 Scroll to see the MAGIC of the evening!🕺💃

06/02/2026

📢PARTICIPANTS NEEDED! 👂Become a Research Hero ➡️ https://bit.ly/4uGehnB

Do you know someone with who is interested in advancing research and receiving a FREE hearing evaluation? Researchers at the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome and Boys Town National Research Hospital are seeking individuals with Down syndrome ages 5–65 to participate in an important hearing and balance research study. Compensation is provided for participation! 🎉

🎧 Even though has come to an end, hearing health is important all year long. If you're in the Denver area, don't miss this opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research while receiving immediate hearing test results. Participants will complete game-based hearing and balance assessments, provide simple biological samples, and help researchers improve hearing healthcare for people with Down syndrome.

📍 June 15–17 | Children’s Hospital Colorado – Anschutz Campus
📍 June 18–21 | International Mosaic Down Syndrome Association (IMDSA) Research & Retreat

Together, we can help advance research, improve care, and create brighter futures for individuals with Down syndrome! 💙💛

📧 To schedule an appointment, email [email protected] today!